On protests

Article can be found here
By Pramod Kumar

What started as hunger strikes and street protests by a few colleges in Chennai is now spreading to other parts of the state such as Kancheepuram, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli. On Sunday, students of Chennai IIT also joined the movement. Perhaps no other part of the country has seen such a genuine students’ movement over a political issue in the recent past. Although the colleges are kept closed to keep things under control, it hasn’t deterred students from coming on to the streets

So. There were huge protests all over my city, and other towns in my state. Student protests.

What do you think of such protests? Do they help in getting their voices heard? Have you heard of this issue? Would you participate in such protests?

I'm not going to say anything - I'd rather you look up different articles and see for yourselves in case I bias your opionions. The Sri Lankan Tamils issue has been going on for years, and this past few weeks has brought a new turn to activism and protests.

Protests have always confused me. Partly because I've grown up in a situation where protests are a commonplace thing. The protests I've seen so far have not been heard by the people in charge. This is the main reason of my confusion : that maybe the government always gets away with it's policies. So, one might say, why protest in the first place?

The answer is, you must stand up for yourself even if you're powerless. In short, yes, if you feel you've been wronged, you must register your protest.

What do you think of such protests?
Everyone has a right to put their point forward.

Do they help in getting their voices heard?
If the law is fair and citizens have a right to voice their opinion, a genuine protest is your right.

Have you heard of this issue?
Even though I've heard of the tension about the issue, I haven't done my research on this issue yet. My excuses are weak. If you can suggest me some good articles that'd be appreciated.

Would you participate in such protests?
As I said above, if it's a country where laws are executed fairly - I will.

I hope my opinion helps you in your thought-process!

Regards

A similar kind of protest is happening here in Dhaka, The shahbag movement.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Shahbag_protests

I read a book by Paul Mason where he argues that globalisation is leading to world revolution- he devotes a chapter to the protests in my city. I don't really agree with a lot of what he says, but protests make views of the people very clear. While it may not always have the immediate impact that protestors want, come election day that can all change. Obviously, what I just said only really applies to 'Western' liberal democracies.

As for me, I've never been to a protest, but that's not to say I wouldn't go. It'd have to be the right cause, and I don't want anything to do with violence, which sadly is becoming all to common a feature of London protests.